Rays of divine light, flames of divine fire,
streamed, I might say, visibly from the figure of the
crucified Saviour, and at once illumined the soul and kindled
the heart of Chopin. Burning tears streamed from his eyes. His
faith was once more revived, and with unspeakable fervor he
made his confession and received the Holy Supper. After the
blessed Viaticum, penetrated by the heavenly consecration
which the sacraments pour forth on pious souls, he asked for
Extreme Unction. He wished to pay lavishly the sacristan who
accompanied me, and when I remarked that the sum presented by
him was twenty times too much he replied, "Oh, no, for what I
have received is beyond price."
From this hour he was a saint. The death struggle began and
lasted four days. Patience, trust in God, even joyful
confidence, never left him, in spite of all his sufferings,
till the last breath. He was really happy, and called himself
happy. In the midst of the sharpest sufferings he expressed
only ecstatic joy, touching love of God, thankfulness that I
had led him back to God, contempt of the world and its good,
and a wish for a speedy death.
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